Paperboard cabton capable of



w. A. RINGLER 2,563,619

, PAPERBOARD CARTON CAPABLE OF HOLDING LIQUIDS Aug. 7, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 13, 1945 FIG.

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WILLIAM H. RmcLcn,

INVENTOR.

FIG.5.

Aug. '7, 1951 w. A. RINGLER 2,563,619

PAPERBOARD CARTON CAPABLE OF HOLDING uqums Filed June 13, 1945 a Sheets-Sheet 2 My H m a w VF m w i w N am -L m w,

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Aug. 7, 1951 W. A. RINGLER PAPERBOARD CARTON CAPABLE OF HOLDING LIQUIDS Filed June 15, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGJZ.

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WILLIRM RRmsLsR,

1N VEN TOR. kyflmwaw Patented Aug. 7, 1951 PAPERBOARD CARTON CAPABLE OF HOLDING LIQUIDS William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa.,asslgnor to The Gtadhriler Board and Carton (70., a corporation o Application June 13, 1945, Serial No. 599,157

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-37) 1 2 There has hitherto been in certain fields a demoisture resistance is required as well as. where velopment of paperboard cartons for holding liqthe problem is not or is not alone one of preventuids. The cartons to which I refer are folding ing the escape of liquids or moisture from the paperboard cartons in the sense that they are contents, but also involves protecting the conmade up by the carton manufacturer by print- 5 tents from external conditions or liquid or moising, cutting and scoring paperboard and tubing ture. the blanks, the structures being sent to the user e Sev Obj c s o y invention W ich e in the knocked-down condition. So far as I am been outlined above or will be set forth hereinaware, however, the practice in forming liquid after or made clear to one skilled in the art upon carrying cartons has entailed erecting the tubed reading these specifications, I accomp sh y a structure, forming an ordinary seal-end closure construction d a e t 0 P ts a n on one end, and then dipping the rt n bodily that procedure of which I shall now describe cerin a bath of liquid-proofing substance so as to coat tain exemplary m ts- R e e ce s made it within and without. Since these last operato the drawings wherein: tions can be performed economically only in the Figure 1 is a Partial D1311 View 01 a blank for plant of the carton user, the development has one form of my c r n howin the inside S rface entailed the purchase and operation of expenof the blank. sive and complicated machines by the user. Figure 2 s a similar Partial P V ew 0! t e One object of the present invention is to pro- Sa blank Sh its Outside Surface. vide a factory-made folding carton which will be Fi u 3 is a parti p sp t v view of a tubed capable of holding liquids, but which requires n r d s r c ure ma e from the blank of for setting up only the simplest form of carton F ur s 1 a d 2 ow n t in a s e o pa a closing devices. Specifically, my cartons do not closurerequire to be clipped. They may even be set up Figure 4 ShOWS the carton in Sueeeedlng S -8e by hand operations of simple character and with of closuresimple t m n one form of my structure Figure 5 shows the carton with the closure comquires no mechanism for setting up beyond a p means to apply heat for rendering t v Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the closed plastic adhesive tacky while the parts are held in Carton taken along the line of gur 5- closed position. Figure 7 is a partial sectional view of the closed In the development of liquid holding cartons carton taken along the e of Figure as outlined above, the bottom closure was effected Figure 8 is a partial plan view of a blank for prior to the dipping operation, the top closure bea modified form of my carton and in particular ing of another type or form. In general, these top one having a pouring spout construction. This closures have been splash proof but not liquid figure shows the outer surface of the carton tight nor hermetically sealed. It is an object of blank.

my invention to provide cartons having the advantages mentioned above but scalable on both tion of the carton having the outer member of the ends with equally liquid-tight results. pouring spout, this view being of the inner sur- In the known liquid carrying cartons, water'- 40 face of the carton.

proofed by the dipping operation to which I have Figure 10 is a partial perspective view of a referred, a relatively slight amount of handling carton formed from the blank of Figure 8 and or distortion, as an accidental bump upon the closed; and it shows the operation of the pourcorners of the carton, serves to destroy the seal ing spout.

and impair or destroy the ability of the structure Figure 11 is a perspective view of a pressure eleto carry liquid. It is an object of my invention ment which I may employ in sealing cartons.

to provide a construction capable of being han- Figure 12 is a partial plan view of the blank dled roughly and in particular of being bumped for yet another form of my carton.

on the corners without destruction of the seal. Figure 13 is a partial plan view of a carton While I have stressed the liquid carrying feablank embodying some of the features of the ture of my cartons, it will be understood that they blank of Figure 12, but incorporating additional need not necessarily be used for liquids, but have features.

utility wherever an hermetic seal is required, such Figure 14 is a perspective view of a modified as would be inherent in a liquid-tight structure. form of pressure element which I may employ.

Thus my cartons and closures are of value where In all of the various views, ,I have shown but Figure 9 is a fragmentary plan view of that porby means of a mandrel and hence are particularly appropriate for the first closure of a carton. One style of closure herein described does not require an interior mandrel and hence is particularly appropriate for the last formed closure of a carton, though it may be used for both closures if desired.

Referring to Figures l and 2, I have shown a carton having body walls I0, II, I2 and I3 in articulation. Closure flaps I4, I5, I6 and I! are articulated not only to the end of the body walls but also to each other as shown, score lines being indicated by dotted lines. A glue flap I8 is articulated to one of the body walls I3 and a prolongation of it I9 is articulated to one of the closure flaps.

In the particular style of carton shown in blank form in Figures 1 and 2, I provide an internal abutment partition for sealing purposes. In a copending application Serial No. 5'74 838 filed January 27, 1945, entitled Sift-Proof Carton and Means and Method for Sealing It, now abandoned, I have described a similar abutment partition for use in making a second closure on otherwise ordinary seal end cartons to prevent sifting. The glue flap I8 is made about half as wide as an opposite wall of the structure to which it will be attached when the structure is tubed, and the abutment partition member 20 is articulated to it. A glue flap 2| is articulated to the outer edge of the abutment partition. The abutment partition is made wide enough to extend across the erected carton.

With appropriate imposition of adhesive to the glue flaps I8, I9, 2|, or to the walls to which they are adhered, the carton blank of Figures 1 and Zmay be tubed in the ordinary fashion as by bending it upon score lines 22 and 23 or other appropriate score lines, as will readily be understood by the skilled worker in the art. The glue flap I8 becomes adhesively secured to the wall III, while the glue flap I 9 becomes adhesively secured to the flap I4. The glue flap 2| on the abutment partition is secured to an intermediate portion of the wall I2. The resultant structure is a flat, tubular, knocked-down carton which, when squared up, will, present an internal partition member acting as an abutment as indicated in Figure 3.

My sealing flaps are articulated together, as indicated, and are provided with score lines for diagonal folding in certain of the flaps, giving a bellows construction to the closure. While I have illustrated a carton which is square in crosssection, it will be understood that I am not limited to any particular shape and that the walls and closure flaps may be variously configured to provide cartons of different cross-sectional shapes. One pair of the closure flaps, e. g. I4 and I6 are, however, of a size and shape to cover the entire end of the carton within the limits of reasonable cutting accuracy. They may be slightly shortened in the direction ofthe length of the body walls, but best results are secured by having them accurately cut and scored in the cross-sectional shape and size of the carton end.

The two remaining flaps are provided with diagonal scores 24 and 25 upon which they may be bent as aforesaid. These scores do not meet at the mid-section of the'flaps, but instead, by means of cut lines, I provide for the formation of small, central tabs 26 and 21, as shown. The upper section of the flaps I5 and I1, beyond a prolongation of the score lines 24 and 25 are cut away as shown.

I employ a combination of the bellows folding construction to which I have referred and a particular kind of adhesive union to provide an end closure which is both liquid-tight and exceedingly strong. It is also without weakness or openings at the corners of the carton and hence will withstand blows there without leakage. The type of adhesive union which I employ requires the placement of adhesive on both faces of the blank. In Figure 1 and 2, I have shown adhesive coated areas in shaded lines. It will be noted that on the inside of the blank the adhesive preferably covers the major part of the areas of flaps I5, I6 and II, but is omitted from flap I4 because this is the fiap which will be folded first and will form the inside of the closure. On the outside surface of the flap portion of the blank, I impose adhesive preferably as shown in the shaded areas in Figure 2. As a safety factor in this carton, I have shown adhesive so applied to the various flaps as to result in bringing adhesive against adhesive in the closure formation. Hence, the outer surface of flap I 4 is substantially covered. So also are the two side portions of flap I5; but the rectangular tab 28 of this flap does not require to be covered. Flap I6 is coated in those areas which will be lapped by the bellows folds in the final closure and flap I1 is similarly coated including tab 21.

The adhesive may be any suitable one, preferably thermoplastic. It may be applied by a printing operation performed upon the blanks.

Figure 3 shows the first stage in forming a closure on the erected carton. The flap I4 has been folded inwardly causing portions of flaps I5 and I1 to fold bellows-wise inside other portions of these same flaps, one of which portions is shown at I5a in the figure. The next operation is that shown in Figure 4 where the opposite flap I6 has now been folded down to close the end of the carton and to overlie flap M. This results in a further folding of the flaps I5 and I! along diagonal lines forming three-thickness ears Nb and I5b beyond which the tabs 21 and 26 extend. The ultimate condition of the closure is illustrated in Figure 5 where the ears Ill; and I5b have been folded inwardly to overlie the top closure. In the shape of the carton shown, this results in an overlapping of the tabs 28 and 21 in the mid-section of the closure, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

The cross-sectional view taken along the line |1, as in Figure 7, shows the interfolded bellows portions. It will be noted that my closure is characterized-by continuous and imperforate paperboard or boxboard at the corners. The bellows folded portions are tightly compresseot- All portions of the closure are in adhesive union, one with another. Such adhesive union is readily obtained b exerting pressure on the outer side of the closure, the abutment partition 20 serving to support the closure parts Within the container to permit such pressure to be exerted and to be effective, The parts may be brought to interfolded .ing the top closure.

condition, as illustrated in Figure, 5, before the thermoplastic adhesive is softened or rendered tacky, and heat may be applied to soften the adhesive after the interfolding of the parts, or heat may be applied during the interfolding. In either event the parts are held together under adequate pressure until by cooling the adhesive has been set. Thus a pressure element may first be heated and then cooled or one element may be employed to soften the adhesive and render it tacky and another unheated element may be employed to maintain the parts in folded condition under pressure until the adhesive has cooled and set.

In Figure 11 I have shown a pressure element of a shape suitable for holding the parts in assembled relationship either during heating or cooling or both. While this element has been illustrated with its configured face upwardly, it will be understood that it will be reversed and brought down upon the to of a carton for effect- The pressure element is indicated generally at 28. It has raised pressure faces 29 and 30 for contacting the outer face of flap IE between the ears. It has recessed pressure faces 3| and 32 for contacting and pressing the bellowsfolded ears I11) and I51); and it has a centrally located somewhat less recessed portion 33 for contacting and pressing the superposed tabs 26, 21. It is a convenient form of pressure and/or temperature control .device for use as such with a carton having an interior abutment partition 20, but in cartons not employing such an abutment partition, it may be used with an internal flat or substantiall flat mandrel member, as will be evident. Where but one closure is to be formed by the means and method thus far disclosed, the interior abutment partition 28 need not extend throughout the length of the carton. Also it may be noted that the bifurcated mandrel disclosed in mycopending case mentioned above may be employed in a partition carton for effecting the closure at the other end, and this is true whether the closure at the other end be of any of the forms set forth herein or of some other form.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10, I have shown a blank and carton embodying a pouring spout. Here body walls 34, 35, 36 and 31 and a glue flap 38 are in articulation with each other and with flaps 39, 49, 4|, 42, and a glue flap 43,which are also in articulation with each other. In flap 39 I have formed by a U-shaped cut line and a transverse score 2. contained flap 44. Closure flap 4| is provided with a lifting tab 45 articulated at a point inwardly of the flap end by means of a score line and otherwise severed from the flap by outlines as shown. It extends beyond the end of the flap 4| and is provided with articulated sections 46 and 41.

The shaded area in Figure '8 illustrates the placement of adhesive on the exterior of the blank; and it will be noted that the placement is similar to that shown in Figure 2 excepting that adhesive is omitted about the cut lines demarking the contained flap 44 while an area of adhesive is carried down onto wall 34 around the contained nap, as at 48. On the inside of the blank the adhesive placement is generally similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 excepting that adhesive is omitted on the lifting tab 45, 46, 41 in an area 49 responding to the area about the out line demarking the contained flap. Adhesive is applied, however, longitudinally centrally of the articulated portion 48.

When this carton has been closed, as herein- 6 above described, the lifting tab in the portion 45 becomes adhered to the contained flap 44. Portions 46 and 41 lap over wall 34, as shown in dotted lines in Figure 10, the first of these articulated sections being adhered to the wall 34, but the other being free. When the free section is grasped by the fingers and the closure element raised, as.

shown in solid lines in Figure 10, the contained flap comes up with the lifting tab, leaving a reclosable pouring opening 44a.

In connection with the blank of Figure 8, I have not illustrated the interior partition abutment, but it may be provided if desired. Otherwise, the closure illustrated in Figure v1i) is preferably made over an interior mandrel by means of some such exterior pressure element as that shown in Figure 11, which may be provided with an additional means for folding sections 46 and 41 of the lifting tab over onto wall 34 and effecting the described adhesive union.

In Figure 12 I have illustrated yet another type of carton having body walls 50, 5| and 52 in articulation, the first and last of these having articulated to them partial body wall members 53 and 54 so dimensioned that when the carton is tubed, they will lap in part to form the fourth body wall with a central seam. Flaps 55, 55, 51 are articulated to the first three mentioned body walls and to each other, while partial flaps 58 and 59 are articulated to partial walls 53 and 54 and bear the same relation to each other. It will be seen that flaps and 51 are shorter than the remaining flaps. They are provided with diagonal fold lines 68 and 6| similar to the fold lines 24 and 25 of Figure 1. The tabs 26 and 21 have been omitted, however, as will be seen. The configuration of flaps 55 and 51 is such that when closure is made substantially as hereinabove described, the ears are not of three thicknesses but of two, the folded over portions coming together along a line disposed centrally of the. ears. From the standpoint of liquidtightness, a closure of this type depends upon the parts being brought together and pressed tightly in accurate relationship, and to promote this, I

score the flaps along the various lines to soften the board at these lines and assist the various board lines to conform to each other. Thus I have shown longitudinal score lines 82, 63 and 84 in the flap and half-flaps 58, 58 and 59, together with diagonal score lines 65 and 66. Score lines 62 and 64 are so placed as to lie along the edges of the overlap between flaps 58 and 59. Horizontal scores 81 may also be provided if desired. Flaps 55 and 51 may have score lines 68 placed to correspond to the meeting edges of the bellows folds hereinabove mentioned. In sealing such a carton (as will preferably be done over an internal mandrel), I have preferred to use a pressure element, such as that shown at 89 in Figure 14. Here I have indicated raised sections 10 for contacting superposed iiaps 58, 58 and 59. Centrally there is an area 1| which, because of the thickness of the overlap between partial flaps 58 and 59, will be somewhat depressed. Further depressed areas 12 are provided to subject the folded over ears to pressure. Slightly raised, narrow elements 13 may be provided to exert pressure on the cars at the lines where the come together are made elongated and sinuous to the extent of increasing the safety factor of the seal along these lines. Similar parts have been given the same index numerals, but it will be seen that the upper edges of flaps 55 and 51 have been made sinuous as at 14 and 15. It will be clear how these parts interfit when the bellows folds are made. The pressure block of Figure 14 may be modified for this carton by eliminating the narrow pressure ribs 13. Otherwise the operation of folding and sealing will be the same.

' As to the application of adhesive to the blanks of Figures 12 and 13, it may be essentially the same on the inside of the carton as that shown in Figure 1. Thus substantially all portions of flaps 55, 56 and 51 may be coated with adhesive. The flap formed by the partial flap members 58 and 59 may be left uncoated to form the inside surface of the closure. On the outside of the carton blank, it will be necessary to apply adhesive to the upper semi-triangular portions of the flaps 55 and 51 in order to cement these down to the fiap 56. Corresponding portions of that flap may likewise be covered with adhesive if desired. While, where I have illustrated adhesive application, I have shown in in such areas as to result in bringing adhesive against adhesive in the folded closure, it will be understood that with an adequate application of adhesive, a coated board portion may be brought against an uncoated board portion with the obtaining of an adequate bond. To this extent the application.

of adhesive both inside and outside the carton may be modified. As to the board from which the carton is made, it may be any suitable, bendable paperboard or boxboard. Needless to say, it may be liquid-proof in itself or treated as may be desired with liquidproofing substances.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit of it. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A carton'comprising a tubular body rectangular in cross section and having body walls in articulation with each other, four integral end 45 flaps, and a pair of wing portions lying along opposite sides of cach of said remaining flaps and articulated to said base portions along said diagonal score lines, said diagonal score lines starting at the outermost corners of said remaining flaps at the bases thereof and extending diagonally through said remaining flaps to the free edges thereof, the base and wing portions of each of said remaining flaps when folded bellowswise forming ears foldable over said first mentioned flaps when said first mentioned flaps are in superposed condition, the wing portions in each of said remaining fiaps being coextensive with each other and with the said base portions.

WILLIAM A. RINGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,073,103 Dreux Sept. 16, 1913 1,681,212 Bergstein Aug. 28, 1928 1,903,286 Coty Apr. 4, 1933 1,924,529 Wellman Aug. 29, 1933 2,052,135 Fuller Aug. 25, 1936 2,070,747 Orstrom Feb. 16, 1937 2,288,914 Monroe July 7, 1942 2,362,862 Sidebotham Nov. 14, 1944 2,390,909 Zinn, Jr. Dec. 11, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 93,254 Sweden Nov. 11, 1938 

